Ryan Hamilton is a Texas based singer songwriter that has been dubbed the ‘Tom Petty of this generation’.
Growing up in the heart of a music loving state like Texas, it would have been hard for acoustic singer songwriter Ryan Hamilton to avoid being exposed and eventually fall in love with music. Even as young as eight years old, whilst traveling in his Dad’s truck listening to John Cougar Mellencamp, the music bug had already bitten. Once he discovered The Eagles, with their unbelievable musicianship and vocal harmonies, the young Hamilton realised that music was a journey he wanted to take.
Hamilton initially tasted nationwide success with the indie folk band Smile Smile, active from 2006-2013, with their track ‘Sad Song’ receiving a nomination for ‘Best Folk Song in the Los Angeles Independent Music Awards’ and the band also being nominated for ‘Best USA Artist’ in the Toronto Independent Music Awards. It was whilst performing at the South by South West Festival in 2010, that Ryan met Jaret Reddick (front man for pop rock band Bowling For Soup). The pair struck up an unlikely friendship, which led to both bands heading out on tour with Reddick and Hamilton deciding to write songs together. The instant chemistry, and mutually similar influences growing up, led to the formation of People on Vacation in 2010
After these stints in Smile Smile and People on Vacation, Ryan has since formed Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts. This band currently consists of solely British musicians, including Mickey Richards on drums, Rob Lane on bass, Carol Hodge on the keyboard and backing vocals, and Dave Winkler as a lead guitarist. Recently Ryan has also been working on solo projects, with the release of his 1221 album in 2021 and his latest single Free Fallin’ in March 2022.
“Just Fantastic” – Adam Duritz (Counting Crows)
“This young man is the future of rock ‘n’ roll” – Mike Peters (The Alarm)
Warner E. Hodges is a Tennessee based rock artist and founding member of the bands Jason & The Scorchers and Dan Baird & Homemade Sin. While growing up in Germany, Warner began his early music career playing the drums for his parent’s country music band. But, quickly switched his instrument of choice to the guitar after watching an inspiring performance by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple. Warner’s sound is deeply influenced by rock music from the likes of artists such as AC/DC and the Sex Pistols.
Warner played with a series of alternative punk bands in Nashville, before forming Jason & The Scorchers with two school friends – Perry Baggs and Jeff Johnson – and singer Jason Ringenberg. The band recorded two EPs and six full-length albums and were awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award For Life Performance’ by the Americana Music Association in 2008. Jason & The Scorcher have been described as having an influential role on the development of the Alt Country/Americana genre.
In 2007, Warner went on to form Dan Baird & Homemade Sin – with two ex-members of The Georgia Satellites. The band’s most successful album, ‘Rollercoaster’, was released in 2017 and produced by Warner. While still performing with Dan Baird & Homemade Sin, Warner began a solo career in 2010 and has since released four albums, including his most recent – ‘Right Back Where I Started’ – in 2020. Warner had always aimed to set up a permanent group of musicians to perform alongside during his solo career, and decided that with much of his time spent in Europe this would be the place to create The Warner E. Hodges Band. The group consists of Ben Marsden on guitar, Jason Knight on bass, and John Powney on drums.
“There is no finer example of what rock ‘n’ roll is” – Raul Malo (The Mavericks)
“A world class rock guitarist with a solid gold hillbilly heart” – Steve Earle
